SENIOR SIDELIGHTS

Austintown Senior Center, 100 Westchester Drive, has planned the following: Monday, video class on birding, 30 minutes with God and piloxing at 9 a.m., Sew N Crafts at 9:30, Senior spinning, bingo and painting class at 10, chair Pilates at 11, chair volleyball at 11:30, lunch and Bridge group at noon, paint and taste at 12:30 and trip to a Scrappers Game at 5 p.m.; Tuesday, trip to the Ohio State Fair at 7 a.m., coloring group at 8:30 a.m., Western Civilization video class at 9, S.O.S. at 9:30, crocheting, bingo and rocket building at 10, line dancing at 10:30, walking club at 11, chair yoga at 11:30, ballroom dancing at noon, lunch at 12:30 p.m. and mahjong at 1; Wednesday, 30 minutes with God, video class on "Life in the World's Oceans"and blood pressure checks (Woodlands) at 9, bingo and Drum Your Way Fit at 10, quilting class at 10:30, yoga/Pilates at 11, pizza party and beginner's ukulele class at noon, afternoon movie and ukulele class at 12:30 p.m. and garden club at 2; Thursday, coloring group at 8:30, video class on zoology at 8:50, "Vets Helping Vets" and woodcarving at 9, S.O.S. at 9:30, chair yoga and crocheting/needlework at 10, knitting and chair volleyball at 11, lunch and cash bingo at noon; and Friday, video class on the Vikings, 30 minutes with God and senior spinning at 9, tone and sculpt at 9:45, bingo and book discussion at 10 and fencing at 11. For information, call 330-953-1416 or visit www.austintownseniorcenter.org.

Girard Multi-Generational Center will present "A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls" program at the Liberty Administration building, 1315 Church Hill-Hubbard Road, Youngstown. Program is free and classes will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Aug. 6. Participants will learn fall prevention strategies and specific exercises designed to increase strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. To register, call the center at 330-545-6596.

Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave. will offer the following opportunities: Monday, mind games at 9 a.m. and stretch plus class at 9:30; Tuesday, mind games at 9, walking the block at 10 (weather permitting), yoga and Pilates ($5) at 10:30 a.m. and stretch plus class at 1:15 p.m.; Wednesday, mind games at 9 and stretch plus classes at 9:30; Thursday, mind games at 9 a.m., movie with popcorn and hot chocolate at 9:30, yoga and Pilates ($5) at 10:30 and stretch plus class at 1:15 p.m.; and Friday, mind games at 9 a.m., stretch plus at 9:30 and tai chi at noon with $5 fee. Coffee bar every morning, 8:30 to 11 a.m.; fitness rooms open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wii gaming system and air hockey or ping-pong every day from 8:30 to 2. One-on-one computer or tech tutoring available by appointment. Assistance with Medicare, prescription assistance and many other senior citizen issues is offered by appointment with the center's licensed social worker, Christine Bridgens. The center is a meal program site offering daily meals Monday through Friday through the Trumbull County Office of Elderly Affairs. Stop by or call 330-545-6596 for a menu and details.

Guardian Angels of Trumbull County, a volunteer program of the Trumbull County Probate Court, is looking for new volunteers. Angel volunteers receive training to become advocates who reach out as friends to seniors who may need a friendly phone call, a visit in a nursing home or a visit at home. Angels also are involved in planning special events for seniors. The next meeting will take place at 5 p.m. Aug. 7 at Shepherd of the Valley, 4100 North River Road, Warren. For information, call 330-675-2521 or go to www.trumbullprobate.org.

MVI HomeCare and Hospice is in need of companion volunteers to provide companionship and emotional support to patients and caregivers in Mahoning, Trumbull, and Columbiana counties. There is a brief application, training process, and background check that is done at no cost to the volunteer. Anyone interested in hearing more or who would like to get started should contact Dawn Cannatti, volunteer coordinator, 330-759-9487, ext. 247 (office); 330-506-8057 (cell); or email her at dcannatti@mvihomecare.com.

Niles SCOPE Senior Center, 14 E. State St. SE, sponsors an art class with Kathryn Infante from 1 to 3 p.m. every Friday for $3 per lesson. There will be a new project each week. The classes take place at the SCOPE Center. For information, call 330-544-3676.

Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice Center, 1110 Fifth Ave., Youngstown, has scheduled the following activities: Tuesday, Fit for Life, brush, knife and needle club at 10 a.m., and beginner, intermediate and party bridge at noon; Wednesday, Wellness club at 9:30, watercolors at 10, tap dance at noon, 500 Bid Card club at 1 and line dancing at 1:30; Thursday, woodcarvers at 9 a.m. and multi media art and socialization at noon; and Friday, ukulele class at 11, Days of Summer Potluck Picnic at 11:30 and chair yoga ($7 or $5) at 1 p.m. Call 330-744-5071 in advance for reservations for all classes and events. The center will host a "Living It" program that will take place at 9:30 a.m. each Wednesday through Aug. 29. This Wednesday is Soma Essential Healing with Deanna Tarashawty. The center also is hosting a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m today through Tuesday.

Ohio Living Park Vista Senior Center hosts Silver Sneakers classes that are available Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2:15 p.m. in the North Lounge. To find out more about Silver Sneakers, or to verify whether your health plan covers the program, visit silversneakers.com. If your health plan does not cover the program, there will be a small fee for each class. For information, call 330-746-2944, ext. 1214.

Senior Corps Retired Senior Volunteer Program, located in First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, 201 Wick Ave., is a volunteer program with the mission of linking volunteers, age 55 and older, with a variety of volunteer opportunities within Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Volunteer activities include, but are not limited to: senior companionship, preparing/serving meals, meal delivery, providing transportation, installing smoke alarms, and working with children in school or community-based settings. There are many benefits to being a volunteer with RSVP including supplemental health/auto insurance while on duty at no cost, mileage reimbursement for transportation activities, volunteer recognition events, as well as feeling connected to and making an impact in the community. The program coordinator will meet with volunteers to match them with their preferred site based on interests, skills and location. Individuals who are either interested in volunteering or have a need for volunteers, can call Maria Cavileer, program coordinator, at 330-480-0352 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or email mcavileer@fcsohio.org.

Trumbull Mobile Meals is a community-based service agency dedicated to providing a home-delivered meal service to Trumbull County residents who are homebound. Due to an alarming increase in senior hunger in the community, volunteers are desperately needed to deliver meals in the Niles, Cortland, Howland, Warren, Vienna, Girard, Liberty and McDonald areas. Daily, 45 to 50 volunteers are now delivering meals to over 200 individuals. Volunteers are the heart of Trumbull Mobile Meals. Anyone can help if they have an hour to spare once a week or even just once a month. For information, call Terri at 330-394-2538.

Volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a volunteer program that advocates for people who use long-term care services, such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities, to resolve resident concerns or complaints, is looking for volunteers. Volunteer Ombudsman receive free training and are certified as an Ombudsman associate before beginning volunteer work. There are no experience requirements, but there is a short application. Background checks are done at no cost to the applicant. Contact Max Bumgardner, volunteer coordinator, at 330-505-2375 for information and an application. Applications are available online at www.aaa11.org/volunteer.html.